What Is Chateaubriand Steak?

what is Chateaubriand Steak

Chateaubriand Steak is a cut that comes from the tenderloin of the cow. It’s a French cut that is usually grilled, broiled, or pan-fried and served rare to medium-rare.

If you’re looking to learn more about chateaubriand steak, and find out exactly what is chateaubriand steak? Stick around and we’ll go through everything you need to know.

Let’s get to it…

What Exactly Is Chateaubriand Steak?

Chateaubriand Steak is a cut of steak that is popular in French cuisine. It’s an extremely tender cut of beef that can be cooked quickly.

Chateaubriand steaks are typically served rare or medium-rare, with the exterior of the steak being seared at high heat to seal in flavor and juices.

This cut is becoming increasingly popular in the US as more and more steakhouses offer it on their menus.

The name of the cut comes from its history. The original Chateaubriand steak was cooked for Francois-René de Chateaubriand, a French writer who requested that his meat be served in thick slices with just one piece of toast to sop up the juices.

As with most tender cuts of steak, a long marinade is not recommended due to the soft texture and thinness of the meat.

How Is Chateaubriand Steak Best Cooked?

When it comes to cooking Chateaubriand, it is best to use a minimal amount of heat in order to cook the center without overcooking the outer layer.

This steak lends itself well to cooking on a barbeque grill or under a broiler, but should never be seared in an extremely hot pan like you would with other cuts.

I like to cook this steak with onions first so that the inside is well done and covered with the cooked onions.

Most people think this steak should be served pink but it does not taste as good as having it well done.

Reverse searing is another option for cooking chateaubriand at home, where you cook to rare or medium-rare doneness and then let the steak rest before searing.

I think it is best slightly undercooked so that when you sear at the end you are not overcooking it further.

Although I have seen many recipes for this cut it is probably better to buy a whole chateaubriand and cut it yourself, as opposed to buying pre-cut chateaubriand steaks, as those can vary in thickness and quality.

This steak can also be cooked in a frying pan just like most other steaks, but I recommend using a grill to get the great smoky flavor.

In France, béarnaise sauce is often served with chateaubriand, but honestly, I think that this steak tastes good on its own and doesn’t need any dressing up at all.

How Is Chateaubriand Steak Best Prepared?

Preparing this steak is easy, simply pat it dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.

Then season it on both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Adding crushed peppercorns is a nice touch as well.

And here comes the most important part: Always let your meat rest after cooking to let all the juices redistribute in the meat! This will make sure that the meat is nice and moist.

If you are using a meat thermometer, aim for an internal temperature of about 125°C (about 257°F).

That’s really it, it doesn’t take much preparation at all.

How Is Chateaubriand Steak Best Served?

As with many steak cuts, it’s best to serve Chateaubriand Steak with grilled vegetables and preferably potatoes.

If you’re looking for sauces, hollandaise sauce is always a good choice. Peppercorn sauce is also a great combination with Chateaubriand Steak.

As far as drinks go, we recommend pairing this steak with red wine or if you prefer drinking it with beer we suggest an ale.

Ensure you serve this steak with steak butter too, this allows you to ensure your steak stays nice and tender, and will WOW your guests!

Is Chateaubriand Steak Expensive?

When it comes to the price of Chateaubriand Steak, this is largely going to depend on your location and when you purchase this cut from.

However, the average price of Chateaubriand Steak is around $20 – $23 per 100g in the US.

This is absolutely a more expensive steak than other cuts and is eaten more as a celebration or treat meal for most.

Chateaubriand Steak is also called the tenderloin steak, filet mignon, or beef fillet in some locations, so it’s worth keeping this in mind.

Where Is Chateaubriand Steak Commonly Found?

If you’re on the hunt for Chateaubriand Steak, you’ll likely find it in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and France.

You may also find it in other European countries like Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy, and Germany.

It’s important to note that the cut of meat known as Chateaubriand Steak may vary depending on where you are located.

As a whole, it’s pretty easy to find Chateaubriand Steak as it is sold in supermarkets and will appear on lots of restaurant menus.

There is a short list of places where this dish is not typically found: – Russia – Ukraine – Northern America

What Is The Nutritional Value Of Chateaubriand Steak?

When it comes to the nutritional value of Chateaubriand Steak, it packs a punch.

It’s made up of protein, iron, and zinc – but it also has high levels of cholesterol.

As with any meat products, if you’re cooking Chateaubriand steak for dietary or health reasons, you should consider the amount that is consumed per serving.

There is no doubt though that this recipe is delicious and nutritious.

See below the nutritional value of one serving (113g) of Chateaubriand Steak:

  • Calories = 180
  • Fat = 8g
  • Saturated Fat = 3g
  • Carbohydrates = 0g
  • Sugars = 0g
  • Protein = 25g

As you can see, the nutritional value of Chateaubriand Steak is pretty impressive, it’s made up of 25g of protein and 8g of fat.

There is no doubt that this recipe provides you with a good source of iron, zinc, and niacin.

However, it does contain high levels of cholesterol – which you should consider if you’re monitoring your intake for dietary or health reasons.

As always, moderation is key when it comes to steak, so try not to overdo it!

If you’re eating this cut 3 times a day then you’ll likely run into some problems down the line, but if you enjoy this cut as part of a healthy and balanced diet, you’ll be left feeling and looking great!

Other Considerations

It’s worth keeping in mind that Chateaubriand Steak is known by different names around the world, for example, in the UK it is known as a Fillet Steak.

It is also sometimes referred to as a ‘Tournedos’ meaning small turned around piece of meat.

The French bard and writer Anquetin describe Chateaubriand steak as ‘the prince of beef cuts’.

So if you see this name on a menu, you’re likely to be ordering something of exceptional quality.

Now that you know what is Chateaubriand Steak, why not try it out for yourself!

If you see this steak on the menu, don’t hesitate to give it a try. Yes, it may hurt your wallet a little but it’s worth the price and tastes incredible!

It’s one of the most tender steaks you will ever eat.

It is my personal favorite and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to treat themselves or just simply try something new!

Conclusion

In conclusion, Chateaubriand Steak is a cut that is among the most expensive in the world.

Often called ‘the prince of beef cuts’. It’s also one of my personal favorite steaks. I highly recommend you try it at least once!

There is a good reason why it’s so expensive as it’s one of the most tender and tasty cuts available.

I personally love this steak and there is no question I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to treat themselves and celebrate a special occasion.

Thanks for taking the time to read this post and I hope you’ve learned a thing or two about Chateaubriand Steak.

Feel free to share it with someone who may find it interesting!

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